Sign in Subscribe

Faith, family and hope shine at Save Cenla’s 5K

Faith, family and hope shine at Save Cenla’s 5K
Vendors line the courthouse square during Save Cenla’s Into the Light 5K Walk/Run,

More than 300 participants gathered on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, for Save Cenla’s annual Into the Light 5K Walk/Run, a powerful community event dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

Hosted on the steps of the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse, the morning was filled with remembrance, hope, and a shared mission to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Opening Ceremony of Remembrance & Honor

The event opened with a prayer of remembrance for two beloved members of the Save Cenla family, Stacy Reed Laborde and Deedra Griffin, followed by an invocation from Michael Riddle of In the Beginning Church.

The Cenla Honor Guard Commander Dan Moreau and Judy James, coordinated by Louisiana VFW Auxiliary President Ann Barnett, raised the flag as Brylee Ledet performed a moving rendition of the National Anthem.

Stories of Strength & Support

Personal testimonies from Katie Adams, Chrystal Firmin, Anna Desselles, and Sheila “Sha” Jones inspired and uplifted everyone in attendance — reminding the community of the importance of compassion, connection, and hope.

A Morning of Music, Memories & Meaning

Music and entertainment were provided by Music in Motion DJs Joey and Donna Ledet, keeping spirits high throughout the morning.

CC’s Southern Floral Design of Fifth Ward donated 100 red roses handed out toward the end of the event.

A butterfly release was held in memory of 29 loved ones as “Dancing in the Sky” by Dani and Lizzy played — a heartfelt reminder of why Save Cenla continues this mission each year.

Race Winners & Team Champions

The 2025 Team Winner was once again Javon’s Crew, raising an incredible $4,775 — their fourth consecutive year as top team fundraisers.

Race winners were recognized as follows:

Men’s Division
🥇 Christopher Mann
🥈 Jamie Ducote
🥉 Bennett Coco

Women’s Division
🥇 Suzannah Townsend
🥈 Amy Deville
🥉 Bridgette Henry

Teen Boys
🥇 William Dixon
🥈 Drake Lemoine
🥉 Preston Bordelon

Teen Girls
🥇 Ella Deshotels
🥈 Laney Rodden
🥉 Aubree Rosauce

Boys Under 14
🥇 Jadyn Walker
🥈 Bryce Dodge
🥉 Nathan Carter

Girls Under 14
🥇 Emily Ford
🥈 Kallie Ford
🥉 Amiree

Additional honors included:
• Cecile Bordelon – Vendor incentive award
• Joel Desselle – Silent auction winner (set of rockers and swing)
• Aimee Deville – Winner of metal artwork

Community Support Makes It Possible

Successful Events of Mansura provided the balloon arch and fun jump, while Scott Fruge and crew cooked 113 plates of jambalaya.

Silent auction items were generously donated by:

  • Toby Dixon
  • Jessica Lemoine
  • Kenny and Listie Bordelon

Save Cenla expressed appreciation to local media partners including:
97.7 The Cajun, Avoyelles Journal, CENLA Focus, KALB, KLIL, KRRV, KZMZ, and Q93, as well as Joshua Butcher, Kati Adams, Liz Jeansonne, and Listie Bordelon for their outreach support.

2025–2026 Save Cenla Sponsors:

Partners:
• Central Louisiana Human Services District (CLHSD)
• Louisiana State Police

Platinum:
• Computers 911

Gold:
• LSU AgCenter
• CLTCC Huey P. Long Campus
• Escude Funeral Home
• Firmin Family Care
• First Baptist Church of Harrisonburg
• Mobiloans
• Pineville Park Baptist Church
• Sanctuary Family Worship Center of Jena
• Shawn’s Supercenter
• Y-Not Stop

Silver:
• 2 Sisters’ Salsa
• Allen Monk
• B22 Fit
• CC’s Southern Floral Design
• Deshotels Crawfish Farms
• DETEL
• First Baptist Church of Vidalia
• HLA Enterprises
• In the Beginning Church of Marksville
• Keith W. Lacombe
• Kelone’s Catering
• Little Caesars–Marksville
• Melancon Funeral Home & Monument Co.
• Music in Motion
• NOLA VFW Post 8973
• Poret’s Thrifty Way Pharmacy
• Quality Drywall
• RAMME Enterprises
• Ryland Law Firm
• St. Michael’s Catholic Church of Leesville
• Successful Events
• The Cottonport Bank
• The Grand Church of Kinder
• VFW Cole-Miers Post 3619 of DeRidder

Bronze:
• 2 Johns Logging
• Avoyelles Accounting LLC
• Avoyelles Animal Clinic
• Avoyelles Hospital
• Bordelon’s Superette
• Bunkie Rotary Club
• Cooyon’s LLC
• J. Bernard Seafood Inc.
• Juanita Brouillette CPA
• McCann Family Dentistry
• Mike’s Glass & Tinting
• Oasis Church Ministries
• Open Hands Sharing God’s Love, Inc.

A Mission That Continues

Save Cenla continues its mission through year-round training programs, outreach efforts, and public events designed to raise awareness and prevent suicide.

Javon’s Crew: For the fourth consecutive year, Javon’s Crew earned the top fundraising title, contributing $4,775 to Save Cenla. The team made up of Roger Bennett, Emma Webb, Krystal Webb, Patty Tomlin, Erin Rozas, Jana Lebaron, Snookie Evans, Aubree Rozas, Listie Bordelon, Kenny Bordelon, Ambrea Bordelon, Peggy Gordon, Laynee Rodden, Harmony Brevelle and Michelle Carson, will be featured on the 2025–2026 Save Cenla sponsor banner.
SaveCenla Co-Founder Andy Dixon, Randy Decuir, Jenny Falls and Danny Langlois.
Families and supporters from across Avoyelles Parish pause for a photo near the Save Cenla awareness wall during the Into the Light 5K Walk/Run. Pictured from left (back row): Joseph, Kelsey and Joseley Kuplesky, Catie
Hundreds of pairs of shoes lined the steps of the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse in memory of lives lost to suicide. The display served as a powerful reminder of Save Cenla’s
A “Wall of Memories” display honors loved ones lost to suicide during Save Cenla’s Into the Light 5K Walk/Run in Marksville.
Team Adam Dixon cross the finish line during Save Cenla’s Into the Light

Comments ()